[Schurkey]

1. Fresh exhaust manifold gaskets, anti-seize on the manifold-to-head bolts with corresponding reduction in torque on those bolts. Clean/polish/brush the rust off the studs on the manifold outlet, or replace studs. Assemble with brass or stainless-steel nuts on the outlet studs, perhaps with anti-seize and torque reduction.

2. Disassemble valves/retainers/keepers/springs/seals. Verify valve guide/valve stem wear. Fresh valve stem seals, verify spring condition, verify valve face/valve seat condition. "Valve job" as needed. "CC" at least a couple of combustion chambers on each head. Assure all cylinder-head gasket surfaces are clean, straight, smooth. Plane gasket surfaces as needed/desired. Driver's side #7 combustion chamber looks rusty, at minimum, verify that the head and block aren't cracked. Optional: Now is the time to do some port/bowl clean-up, install better valves/springs/hardened seats, etc. Better yet: Replace with new, QUALITY aftermarket cylinder heads. (Not Chinese junk.)

3. Inspect bores for wear--"ridge" at top, cylinder wall honing marks still visible, no cylinder scoring, etc.

4. Verify how far below the deck the pistons are at TDC, calculate compression ratio using verified combustion chamber CC and piston-below-deck measurements. With #1 piston at TDC, verify timing mark on damper vs. timing indicator. Optional: Assure camshaft is properly "degreed" and timing chain is in good condition. Optional: This is the time to replace the cam if you're so inclined.

5. Yank out (at least) a few lifters--keeping them in order--to verify cam lobes and lifter bottoms. Optional: Disassemble and clean each lifter one-at-a-time.

6. Straight-edge on block decks, verify flatness/smoothness of gasket surfaces. Optional: If you have to correct the gasket surfaces on the block, have the block zero-decked for optimal quench/squish. Straight-edge on intake manifold to verify flatness/smoothness of gasket surfaces. Optional: Saw-off water passage as desired.

7. If you haven't already (and you should have by now) pull the block drain plugs on both sides of the block. Drain all old coolant. Refill with new, clean coolant (generally 50/50 anti-freeze/water) after assembly. While the heads and exhaust manifold are off, and visibility is good, do a visual inspection of the core plugs--or just replace as many as you can get to. Flush/replace radiator and heater core (flush entire cooling system when the engine is reassembled, if desired.) Verify all hoses and belts. Now is the time to change thermostats, if desired. Consider installing a block heater.